Erasing Women: How Pritzker’s Policies Undermine Our Daughters
As a mother of two daughters, I’ve seen firsthand how sports and extracurricular activities shape confidence and determination in young women.
My youngest daughter excels in karate, a sport that demands discipline and grit.
It’s these opportunities that allow our kids to learn life lessons and strive for greatness.
That’s why I was heartened by the LPGA’s commonsense decision this week to reaffirm its commitment to fairness in women’s sports by barring “players assigned male at birth” from competing.
But in Illinois, Governor Pritzker is charging in the opposite direction to fulfill his pledge to make our state the “most progressive” in the nation—even as the rest of the country moves back to commonsense and science-based policies.
As parents, we should be heartened by the November election results. President Trump’s victory was a cry for a return to commonsense and policies that reflect the values of everyday Americans, including keeping women safe.
When a party wins the popular vote, 312 electoral votes, and both chambers of Congress, they are doing many things right.
Republicans ran on a pro-worker agenda to restore opportunity for families. They also aligned with most Americans, who believe young women deserve to grow up in an environment where they can flourish—safe, supported, and empowered.
As a former biology teacher, I appreciate the scientific clarity offered on this issue—and voters do, too.
Even Democrats are waking up to this reality. Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton recently said, “I have two little girls—I don’t want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete.” New York Congressman Tom Suozzi echoed that sentiment: “I don’t think biological boys should be playing in girls’ sports.”
Yet, Governor Pritzker is doubling down on policies that attack fairness and safety.
Pritzker’s administration mandates that biological males must be allowed to compete in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms and restrooms, based solely on self-declared gender identity. Parents, students, and teachers who raise legitimate concerns about safety or privacy are ignored, dismissed, or labeled as intolerant.
The exact policy language states, “discomfort or privacy concerns of other students, teachers, or parents” are “not valid reasons to deny or limit the full and equal use of facilities based on a student’s gender-related identity.”
Let me be clear: Protecting the safety and dignity of girls in these spaces is not discrimination—it’s common sense. This is about fairness. It’s about ensuring every child has a safe and level playing field.
Over the past six years, Governor Pritzker has repeatedly shown that he’s more interested in advancing a radical agenda than protecting the rights and concerns of Illinois families—whether on economic issues or personal safety.
Illinois families deserve better. We need leaders who respect parents, protect our kids, and apply basic common sense.
Some have argued I should steer clear of this issue—that it’s too politically dangerous. But I didn’t run for office to take the easy road. I ran because I was afraid for my three kids’ future in Illinois. The real danger lies in leaving that future in the hands of politicians like Governor Pritzker.
That’s why, when I’m sworn in, one of my first actions will be to introduce legislation ensuring girls’ sports and private spaces are preserved for biological females. I’ll also work to give parents a stronger voice in their children’s education and safety.
And as a mother, I’ll never stop fighting for what’s right—for my family, and for yours.
Regan Deering is the State Representative-Elect in Illinois’ 88th House District; she will be sworn into office in January 2025.